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Congressman Charlie Rangel Digital App Competition

by Eric Hamilton

Congressman Charlie Rangel Digital App Competition

Congressman Charlie Rangel House Student App Contest

Congressman Charlie Rangel House Student App Contest

On Friday February 7, 2014, tech enthusiasts, community leaders, volunteers and curious residents all converged on the Adam Clayton Powell Office Building in Harlem to learn about the Congressman Charlie Rangel sponsored House Student App Contest.

This kickoff event in Harlem marked the first annual Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition, the “House App Contest.”  This competition is designed to encourage high school students’ participation in STEM fields.  The competition was established by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013 and is a nationwide competition.  Congressman Rangel is leading and supporting local efforts.

High school students from across the country will compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.  Throughout the completion period, students will be provided opportunities to engage with partners and volunteers located within the community to mentor and assist them with their app development.

The “House App Challenge” is open to all high school students in participating districts.   Participating students must submit their app’s source code online during the Competition Submission Period and create a YouTube demo video explaining their app and what they learned throughout the process..

Locally, the contest is open to high school students living or attending school in Congressman Rangel’s New York District 13.  Silicon Harlem is a local organization founded to encourage networking around technology, entrepreneurship, social innovation and urban environmentalism. Silicon Harlem plans to play a vital role in promoting and facilitating the app competition and managing mentors locally.  Bruce Lincoln who is an educational technologist, a design scientist and co-founder of Silicon Harlem expressed that the goals for the entrants is not necessarily to create a final product but an MVP (minimal viable product).

The Harlem Business Alliance was in attendance and plans to support this initiative by assisting with promotions and providing meeting space for students and mentors.  “It’s good to get our children motivated in STEM related activities for career benefits and benefits to the Harlem economy as whole” says Christina Celuzza of The Harlem Business Alliance.

For eligibility visit: The House Student App Challenge Registration

 For more information visit:  Representative Charles Rangel, New York’s 13th District, 2014 House STEM Competition

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